[Filipinos must reject Pax Silica initiative]
Marcos-Helberg meeting exposes deeper US control over PH economy, resources, and territory – farmers

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) strongly criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s meeting with US Undersecretary for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg saying the talks confirm that the US is tightening its grip on the Philippine economy, resources, and territory under the guise of “economic cooperation” and “technological development,” said KMP Secretary General Ronnie Manalo.

KMP warned that the agreements and discussions surrounding the proposed “AI-native industrial hub” in New Clark City in Tarlac are not aimed at genuine national development for Filipinos, but at further integrating the Philippines into the strategic, military, and economic agenda of the United States.

Reports state that the US sought to place the proposed 1,619-hectare industrial hub under US legal jurisdiction, with protections similar to diplomatic immunity. “The US wanted Philippine territory exempted from Philippine laws reveals the colonial and interventionist character of this initiative,” Manalo said. “This is a direct affront to Philippine sovereignty and proof that the US still sees the country as a strategic outpost for its military and economic interests.”

KMP also reiterated its strong opposition to the Pax Silica initiative. “Pax Silica is not designed to industrialize the Philippines for the benefit of Filipinos. It is meant to secure supply chains for the US military-industrial complex and support America’s geopolitical confrontation with China,” Manalo added.

The peasant group warned that the proposed industrial hub and critical minerals agreements would accelerate foreign control over the country’s natural resources, particularly nickel, copper, cobalt, and chromite used in semiconductor and military technologies.

“Under these agreements, the Marcos government is offering up our land, labor, and mineral wealth to feed US war production and corporate interests,” Manalo said. “Instead of building genuine Filipino industries, the country will once again be reduced to a source of raw materials and cheap labor.”

KMP also raised concern over the impact of the projects on farmers, indigenous peoples, and rural communities. “Large-scale mining expansion, land conversion, and foreign-controlled industrial zones will mean further displacement of peasants and indigenous communities, destruction of the environment, and threats to food production,” Manalo said.

The group criticized the Marcos administration for portraying Pax Silica and the Luzon Economic Corridor as so-called “engines of development” while the country remain trapped in low-value assembly, packaging, and export-oriented operations controlled by foreign corporations.

“Decades of US-dictated economic policies have prevented genuine agrarian reform and national industrialization. These new agreements will only deepen the country’s underdevelopment,” Manalo stressed.

KMP further warned that integrating the Philippines into US military and technological supply chains increases the danger of the country being dragged into conflict amid rising tensions between the US and China.

KMP called on the Filipino people to reject Pax Silica, the Critical Minerals framework, EDCA, VFA, and all forms of foreign economic and military intervention. ###